Ahead of Wales’ historic Euro 2016 semi-final clash with Portugal, UEFA have warned the Welsh players about allowing their children onto the pitch for post-match celebrations.
In what has been an incredible tournament for Chris Coleman’s side, the jubilant players have celebrated their victories on the pitch with their families, with the young kids indulging in cute, harmless kickabouts…
However, the po-faced UEFA officials are not too pleased with these post-match frolicking, no doubt concerned that, in the words of Alan Partridge, the ‘tomfoolery doesn’t escalate into blind, ugly violence.’
Here’s what UEFA tournament director Martin Kallen had to say on the matter:
It is a European Championship not a family party. A stadium is not the most safe place for small kids.
It is nice pictures. We are not 100% against it but we are cautious.
It is getting more and more a habit that entire family members would like to go on the pitch or into the technical area. The principle is how far you go with having other people on the pitch than the players.
People with accreditation cards should be on the pitch and not more.
Down with this sort of thing.
Anyway, if Wales do beat Portugal in Wednesday night’s semi-final, don’t be surprised if the whole population of the country runs onto the pitch at the final whistle.